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What the iPhone’s Sound Capabilities Can Do for Your Projects

One of the most overlooked aspects of the iPhone is its ability to playback uncompressed, CD quality audio. Apple has managed to squeeze even more quality and volume out of the tiny speakers on the newer iPhone3GS. Also, most people are unaware of the 3D positional sound feature incorporated into the original iPhone and what it actually does. This feature allows the developer to simulate moving sounds and have them play anywhere in three-dimensional space around the listener. For example, if a game developer needs to have a jet fly by the left side of the player, they can use the positional sound feature to place it there. Other devices can do this, but Apple makes it a lot easier for the developer. This aspect of iPhone audio development is in its infancy; we can look forward to even more innovative products using this feature.

Graphics effects and animation tend to hog the spotlight, and sound is often given much less attention. However, rich music, sound, and voice content are great ways to enhance your games and other apps. Although the laws of physics prevent us from hearing deep bass tones from the iPhone’s built-in speakers, we can certainly enjoy the rest of the sound spectrum and relish in the rich mid and high frequencies!

Make your apps more fun

With a little creativity, an application can be brought to life with audio. Traditionally, games have been the only apps to get the sonic treatment, but we are now seeing that other apps can be equally enhanced with audio. Having a sonic signature for a product or company logo is a good place to start. This can increase brand strength and improve customer satisfaction. Something as drab as a notetaking app can be made fun with the creative use of music, sound, and voice.

Hiring a professional audio producer is one way to do this, but you can also take a do-it-yourself approach. There are plenty of free or inexpensive options available to developers, including online sound effect libraries like the popular SoundSnap (soundsnap.com), which let’s you browse their library and download five free sounds every month. Another great site is FreeSound (freesound.org), which also has a vast library of sounds you can browse. Sites like these allow you to preview the sound before downloading it to your computer. Keep in mind that these sounds may have been downloaded and used elsewhere, so if originality is important, it’s probably best to hire an audio professional to create a unique audio track.

Finally, if you have the time and interest, you can make the free sounds you’ve downloaded unique by altering them using one of the free audio programs available on the Web. If you’re interested in this, check out one of the following programs.

The following are a couple of apps that make good use of the iPhone’s potential. The first is a game I helped develop. The second is an app developed for bird lovers. Both of these demonstrate how developers can use quality audio to enhance the user’s experience and make their app more compelling.

Matias is beating Apple at its own game yet again with its new Backlit Wireless Aluminum Keyboard that includes a full numeric pad. The keyboard’s Bluetooth connection means you can work anywhere, while the backlit keys make it easy to see what you’re typing, even in the dark. The Matias Backlit Keyboard has a rechargeable battery that lasts up to a full year on a single charge (versus one-month with Apple’s). Plus, you can connect your Matias keyboard with up to four devices and easily switch between them as you work. With Mac-friendly function keys and a separate battery dedicated to powering the backlight, the Matias Backlit Wireless Keyboard outshines all of its keyboard competition, even Apple.

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